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Best Bang for your Buck DAC ?

I just realized I’m in the market for a DAC , I don’t want to spend a fortune on a DAC either . I picked up a drangonfly cobalt a while back and am unimpressed  so I moved it to my CPU and sounds really good on my system there which when I bought it figured I would do anyway since it was my first DAC purchase . There are so many DACs I have no clue , how high up on the returns chart can I go at say $1,000 before I run into heavy Diminished returns resistance. I’m open to buying used . I was thinking about a Schitt made in the states ? Anyone’s take on best bang for buck DACs? 
ngiordano
tweak1
3,560 posts
 
very hard to find, but, if you can score a Audio Alchemy DDP-1 (dac/pre) and their PS 5 separate power supply you will be extremely happy for a very long time. I've seen the combo for ~ $1200. See the Absolute Sound review back in March 2016.
I have this combo and love, love, love it, especially if/when you have a transport/player with optical outs, then get a WireWorld optical cable which is only $165
Also, Underwood HiFi has a special on the Audio GD dac/pre, similar price, but new

hth
earlflynn's avatar
earlflynn
461 posts
 

love my Border Patrol DAC.

just saying.

Earl
rareace
113 posts
 
+1 Border Patrol SE-i
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,896 posts
 
The Topping D70S is a Giant killer ,and to make it better still buy a small synergistic orange fuse 500 Ma, slow blow  with the writing facing down ,direction of the electrical flow 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bvVxHdLt9Jo&t=362s
earlflynn's avatar
earlflynn
461 posts
 
BorderPatrol DAC.
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